Activities For Aussie Poms

Introduction

The Aussie Pom is a hybrid dog (Australian
Shepherd and Pomeranian) who has the sweetest temperament and is one of the
smartest dogs you will ever know. They are devoted companions and like to be
part of the family. They will readily join in games, traipse
alongside you on a walk, or sit and chill as long as you are with them. They do
have a lot of energy and like to have room to move in, so a yard is important
for this dog. Plan on taking this dog on regular walks, not just a stroll, but
a workout walk! A tired dog won't get into as much mischief as one that is full of
beans. Games or activities can range from a simple walk around your neighborhood to day trips to the beach, an
obstacle course, puzzles or games adapted from everyday life. Playing games
with your beloved pet is a way of giving them quality time, to indulge in
training your dog so that they can be the best they can be. The most important
thing is that it be fun!

Treibball

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Hard

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Several heavy duty large balls

Thick rope

Brightly coloured yarn

Treats

Activity description

Treibball is a fairly new dog sport that is ideal for herding dogs who don't have a flock of sheep to practice on. This game is ideal for the Australian Shepherd, part of your Aussie Pom heritage. The challenge is to work with your dog as a team, and teach them to 'herd' the balls along a course and corral them in a 'pen' marked out by rope or cord. They have to nudge each ball along, moving them all as one towards the pen. Once they have mastered moving the herd, then you can add an obstacle or two such as a box, that they have to move the flock around. This game develops mental focus, concentration, and teamwork as you guide them to go left or right, or whatever. It's a ton of fun, and strangely satisfying for both dog and owner. Treibball is German for Driving Ball, which is an apt description.

Step

1

Assemble herd and course

You will need to get nine large, heavy duty balls together - these are the sheep. Inflatable exercise balls are ideal. Form them into a triangular pattern with the lead ball at the front of the triangle. Design the course using brightly colored yarn or rope to show the pathway. At the end of the course, make a square out of the rope or yarn, which will be the pen that the herd will be driven into.

Step

2

Let the Treibball begin

Give your dog instructions and help them at first to move the balls along. Once they move one, call them to another so that they get the idea to move all as a whole. They have to nudge them with their muzzle to move them. Direct them to the left, then right, then to move that stubborn front one towards the pen. There is always one sheep, we mean ball, that is stubborn.

Step

3

Through the gate

A real team effort will be needed to move all the balls along the course, without going off track. If one ball escapes, get your dog to herd it back. Delicately maneuver them through the gate of the pen, - don't let that feisty old matriarch sheep, oops we mean ball, cause a stampede. Then once they are in, celebrate! Give that heading dog of yours a great hug, huge praise and a well earned treat. Good work to you both.

Doggie in the Middle

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Normal

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Ball

Two or three people

Soft toy

Treats

Activity description

Doggie in the middle is a
simple and easy game to play, which your Aussie Pom will love. It involves
three people sitting on the floor and
rolling a ball to each other. It does sound
boring, but when you add your dog in the
middle, well that takes the game up several notches. Your dog will love to
chase the ball, and to be the center of attention - well, what self respecting
dog doesn't want that? The idea is to prevent your dog from stealing the ball.
The faster you move the ball, the faster your dog will go. But when they win the
ball, they are to return it to you for a treat and everyone claps and praises your
proud pooch. This game is ideal for wet days when the weather traps you indoors.

Step

1

In the beginning

If you have children who are bored, enlist them to help you play this game. Make sure they know the rules of the game before starting. Sit several feet apart facing each other. The greater the space, the more running your dog will have to do. Get everyone in place, then call on the dog to join.

Step

2

Bring in the ball thief

Bring your dog into the game by rolling the ball to another person and telling your dog to 'get it'. Let them have a couple of easy wins, then speed it up and make them work harder. Having three people means you can switch directions more, but two players can still make it fun. Your dog will make it their mission to steal the ball. Just make sure they give it back after a few victory chews. The treat will encourage them.

Step

3

Adding variety

You can change it from rolling a ball to throwing a soft toy to each other. Your dog then has to jump and leap to intercept it. If you are inside, be careful where you throw the toy to avoid damaging items in the home. Keep the throws low and controlled. The idea is to keep your dog focused and active, wearing off some energy while teaching them how to chase, catch, drop and leave the ball or toy. All great training and good fun.

Pack the Toy Box

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Moderate

Normal

60 min

Items needed

A selection of toys

Marker cones

Treats

Activity description

This game is similar to 'pick
up your toys' which is used to train your dog to help you tidy the house. But
this game builds on your dog's ability to
pick up a toy and put it in a box. This game asks your dog to pick up one toy
from a pile, and race several yards down the grassy yard to a marker cone, plop
the toy in a box, then weave their way back to you around three or four other
cones strategically placed on the way back. This game is challenging as your
dog has to think about what you want and
to work out how to do it correctly. At first,
you may have to run with them to show them what to do. Reward them with praise
when they get it right, or take them back and show them what they had to do if
they get it wrong. It builds confidence and is a whole lot of fun.

Step

1

Setting up the course

If it's a sunny day, go outside with the game. Set up a pile of toys at one end, and then walk a few yards and place a marker cone and a box. On the way back, place three or four other cones a few feet apart for your dog to weave around on the way back. Put them to the side, so your pal doesn't get confused on the run up.

Step

2

Trial run

Get your dog to sit, they ask them to get a toy, and then run with them up to the far cone. When you reach the cones, get your dog to drop the toy in the box, and then run back weaving in and out of the other cones on the side. Reward amply and then get them to repeat the exercise with another toy. Your dog may need several goes at the course before they get it right. That's fine, give them praise and reward for their effort.

Step

3

Reverse the order

Once your clever dog gets all the toys in the box, reverse the order and get them to run to the furthest cone, pick up a toy from the box, then return weaving through the cones on the way back while carrying the toy. If your dog gets this they deserve a big treat! This game can be learned in stages until your dog remembers all the steps and can do it quickly. Remember to give them a break, don't run the legs off them! And keep it fun please.

More Fun Ideas...

Walking in the Rain

Are you and your dog bored with the rainy
weather? Well, grab your raincoat, pop on the Aussie Pom's leash, and head out
for a refreshing walk. With umbrella in hand, mosey along the path to the park
and let your dog have exploration time there. Chances are the park will be deserted, and you will have it all to yourselves. Okay, you both may get a bit damp, but the rain
won't hurt you if you are only out for a short time. On your way back, stop at
a café and order a treat for yourself (hot chocolate would be our choice) and produce
that dog treat for your pooch that you smuggled in your purse. Then a brisk
walk home to get nice and dry, before snuggling up together on the couch to
watch 101 Dalmatians on the TV!

A Frozen Meal

For those hot summer days when your Aussie Pom dog is both hot
and bored (a troublesome combination) give them a frozen treat block. It is as
simple as using a plastic ice-cream container to freeze some tasty broth. Add a
layer of broth with some chunks of carrot, cooked peas, or apple, then freeze.
Then add more broth with small chunks of cooked meat, and some small dog
biscuits, and freeze. Add slices of cooked potato and other vegetables your dog likes in the final layer. When
it is all frozen, tip it out onto a grassy area, and let your dog at it. The block is both healthy
and cooling for your dog, and will take them ages to get through, licking and
biting as it defrosts.

Camping With Doggy

If you love to hike, don't
leave your Aussie Pom at home, they would love to come too! For an overnight
hike, rig your dog up with a mini backpack to carry their water and blanket.
Check the route is dog friendly, then head out at
first light. Following your planned route, walk at a leisurely pace, keeping your dog on a leash to ensure that they don't get distracted. As they are a small dog, you may need a few more stops to
refresh and rest. Then
when you get to the camp site, set up your tent (with room for your dog) and
have dinner over the camp fire. Your dog will be asleep before you know it,
only their snores and muffled woofs giving away their secret.

Conclusion

Once you begin to look for activities to do with
your dog, you will be surprised at the ideas that you can think up. Keep an
open mind, and you will be able to adapt
most games to suit your furry friend. A romp
in the park can turn into an obstacle course as you teach your dog how to use
the merry go round, or even to walk up a small step ladder to go down a slide.
A walk along a lake can result in your
giving your dog a command to 'go jump in the lake'. Most dogs love leaping into
the water to retrieve a ball, stick or
whatever you throw. Training your dog to pick up its toys at night time, or
getting them used to wear a back pack to
help carry their water and toys will all help to make them feel like they have
a job, that they are useful. Dogs love to serve
and are at their happiest when they have things to do. A happy dog is a
tuckered out dog who has no time to get into mischief; they are too busy recharging those batteries for the next round
of fun they know is coming!